Make up for acne help!

I am on the pill for my acne, but I went off it for a few months too see if it was any better, but it wasnt! so I’ve been on the pill two months and it’s taking soooo long to clear up. I am terrible, and will pick at it, I know I know, I shouldn’t.

I am surrounded by pretty girls who look perfect in their makeup and I’m starting to feel ugly, I’m usually pretty happy with my looks. I don’t wear much make up, only mascara and eyeliner. I’m also going to start working on my eyebrows soon, I’m pretty self conscious about them. My fiance doesn’t like foundaton, because with all his exs they worse so much it felt, and tasted horrible to him. No I have no idea how he tasted it?! Making out to the extreme? hahah who knows. Anyway that’s never been an issue because foundation was too much effort anyway.

Is there anything I can use that won’t feel or look like much to me or FI, that will not clog my pores and make my acne worse?

I’ve had good experience with Almay Clear Complexion anti-blemish concealer. I just use a little bit on my spots and no foundation. It doesn’t make my skin too dry but seems to help heal zits and, most importantly, doesn’t cause new ones.

I’ve also been taking zinc gluconate which is meant to help with hormonal acne (you’re supposed to take it for a few months – I’ve been taking it every day for two months and my skin is definitely clearer).

gamerlover: Well it looks like you have a lot of time til your wedding, so that’s good! Maybe try working with a dermatologist to see if there’s anything you can be doing. Personally, I hate docs, though, so when they perscribed me tons of drugs for my skin I wanted to die. I found that natural approaches were the best- Apple Cider Vinegar is a miracle- I put a tiny bit in my smoothies to consume and work insaide-out, and I use it as a toner directly on my skin- it’s one of the few things that clears up breakouts withouth drying up your skin. And check the products you do use- make sure they are all Non-Comedogenic. It will say it right on the label if it is (makeup, moisturizer, foundation, night cream, primer, whatever). Also be sure you drink tons of water and keep a routine. You don’t want to try something new just before the wedding as you never know how your skin will react. I have very moody skin and for the last year I have done very well with a CC cream instead of powder foundation…has good stuff for my skin but adds coverage without being too much. I use MaryKay (http://www.marykay.com/en-US/_layouts/MaryKayCoreCatalog/CategoryPage.aspx?dsNav=N:12097). Also, definitely wear a primer to smooth skin out before you put on foundation- it will mean you wear less of the foundation, and everything will appear smooth and will keep makeup in place.

Another option for the actual wedding is airbrush makeup- you end up wearing a lot less than traditional makeup. It’s known to last a long time and can be really natural looking. Sorry for the long post!! I feel your pain with the difficult skin so I wanted to share what works for me 😉

gamerlover: I have acne as well and went off the pill and it took my skin forever to readjust and that adjustment period was hell on my face… I tried dermatologists but in all honesty, the nest care and advice I’ve ever gotten was from a estitician so if you have some time and spare $$ I would check out some in your area. I’ve found that my skin isn’t bad really, it just is super sensitive and has an extremely thin line between too dry & too moisturized- too far over that line either way & its breakout city.

I used to use foundation thinking it would cover up more, but it just made me breakout even worse. I have found a good middle ground by using concealor on my bad spots and a CC powder allover. It gives good but no theavy coverage where I need it, and minimal coverage where I don’t. I don’t use anything fancy, just one of those pink face sponges wetted down (more sheer coverage) with some Maybelline SuperStay 24HR concealer over the bad spots, Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch for my dark circles (doesnt conceal well at all but brightens amazingly), and finish it all off with Physicians Formula CC Powder (I tried BB and it didn’t work as well for me).

A good face wash was essential too, I found the scrubs I was using were way too harsh & drying me out (St. Ives Blemish Control). Now I use neutrogena gentle makeup removing towelletes (not drying at all) and St. Ives Mandarin Orange scrub a few times a week. I’ve been wanting to try out the Apple Cider Vinegar drink/toner and Coconut Oil as a night moisoturizer but I’m going on a trip in a week & don’t want any surprises so I’m waiting until I get back. My mom swears by Witchhazel toner & Dr. Bronners soap and has been struggling with Acne since she was a teen.

I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or not (placebo effect?) but I swear i notice a difference in my skin when I’m regularly taking my Vitamin E and Pre-natal vitamins too (but I get the ones without biotin as they make me breakout even worse). Also, keep touching your face to an absolute minimum. You don’t think you do it much, but I went a day making sure to pay attention to every time I touched my face/neck and it was ridiculous! I cut that out (although still hard when I’m stresed) and can tell a huge difference since that extra oil and dirt isnt there. Wash your makeup off as soon as possible in the pm too- I’m golden if it’s off by 8/9pm after all day wear, but it if its more like midnight before I get it off I’ll break out in the am again…

I love mineral makeup foundation (and concealor). It looks natural, doesn’t completely mask your skin (my husband can’t even tell if I’m wearing it), and if you get the right kind doesn’t irriatate skin or cause acne. I like everyday minerals and faerie minerals best. Both are far better that Bare Escentuals, which has Bismuth Oxychloride in it and causes a lot of people to break out.

Also, I recommend using oil blotting sheets. I have combination skin and break out in the areas I get oily. The oil blotting sheets remove the oil (and not your makeup) and prevent acne in the first place.

Thanks everyone. I have no intention to see a dermatologist. I know the acne is getting better and going away with the help of the pill, I’m just being impatient. Plus I have my best friends 21st in a couple weeks and I’d like to look nice without a potential break out.